What do you think of when you hear the name Portland Wheelmen Touring Club?

Established in 1971, this is the oldest riding club in the area with a proud legacy of leading (daily!) group rides, raising funds for non-profits, and putting on great events like the Pioneer Century.

As they approach their 50th anniversary, PWTC is doing some soul-searching and club leaders say a name-change is a very real possibility.

In a note to members in their November newsletter, the club’s Board President Chip Kyle wrote, “The board believes that — with great trepidation – we need to reexamine our club name and how it represents who we are, what we do and how we want to grow.” The reason? The current crop of members is getting older and the club isn’t attracting new, younger riders. “We have seen that participation in our club rides comprises predominantly retired males,” he wrote.

Kyle also says, despite having many active women members, they’re frequently asked if women are allowed to participate.

“Women flat out tell us they won’t join with ‘Wheelmen’ in the club name.”— Ann Morrow

Former club President (and member since 1992) Ann Morrow said the “Wheelmen” name made sense back when the club was founded (the national advocacy group League of American Bicyclists was the League of American Wheelmen until 1994). But these days Morrow acknowledges that word is a problem. “Women flat out tell us they won’t join with ‘Wheelmen’ in the club name,” she shared with me via email yesterday. “We are an inclusive club and women are very involved as ride leaders, board members and in various positions of power and responsibility. I personally do not know any Wheelperson who cares about gender identification as related to being a member of our club,” Morrow continued. “They are supportive and welcoming. But the name might suggest otherwise.”

Then there’s the “touring” part. That can be intimidating to some riders, she says, and it doesn’t even reflect the type of rides the club leads.

Morrow shared that the name change topic has come up for the club in the past, including in 2001 when it failed by a couple votes and the debate left many with hurt feelings. “We may have a more sympathetic membership now to get to a change,” Morrow says. “We do care about the misconceptions.”

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158 Comments

EstherDecember 4, 2018 at 1:41 pm

Brava! As a biker in the city in the early 00s I was looking for people to do longer rides with but everytime I looked at their schedule, saw the name and pictured the spandexed, male lawyers I saw riding downtown, who usually looked askance at my used schwinn and downtube shifters and rear rack, so I ended up just touring around by myself.

Who sees a group with “wheelmen” in the name and assumes it’s only for men? It’s obviously just meant to sound old-timey. Do we really need to constantly remind people that “everyone is welcome” everywhere? It used to just be an assumption that people would be nice to you and treat you with respect, but now it seems that everyone constantly has to push inclusivity ad nausem. When everything is apparently an oppressive struggle, you have to always tell people you’re “one of the good guys”.

I think the OP has a point. If you simply change a name, it can seem like you are placating people. I mean, do those window signs at restaurants really make people feel welcome? Or is it the actual behaviors and attitudes of the people there? Anyone actually confused by the name can easily look up their website that makes it pretty obvious that this is not a “mens-only” club.

Why is the gender-inclusivity complaint only made at organizations with “men” in the name, yet there are plenty of organizations with female titles that don’t get the same level of scrutiny? (Which I fully support, by the way, if people feel they need a women-focused cycling group, it’s likely for a good reason, and they have every right to do so). You don’t see people arguing to change Mothers Against Drunk Driving to Parents Against Drunk Driving, do you?

Change the name or don’t; it really doesn’t matter. What matters is people’s attitudes and behaviors. If there are legit problems, then they should be dealt with, but I just don’t see how a name change is really that important to an organization. Likely just a PR move to get more people looking at them, like how the BTA changed to The Street Trust to garner more donations, yes still manages to do the same old nothing they’ve always done.

It won’t let me reply to Middle of the Road Guy but MOTRG, you’re the one who’s assigning “feelings.” Their group name and ride descriptions told me pretty clearly they were not rides for me. I found other things to do. The end.

Ha, my first ride with them was 10 years ago, on some weekday thing out to Gresham. They were all nice enough, mainly retirees (both men & women) on carbon bikes. I was the young guy on my old steel Rampar with downtube shifters. Haven’t ridden with them since, not sure why, just haven’t needed an organized ride club type of thing.

They should have changed it in 1994 when the League of American Wheelmen changed theirs. That should have been the moment they realized it wasn’t a good name. That they’ve kept it for so long just goes to show how outdated the club is, right along with the Elks. Keep things like the good ol’ days and you end up with a thinning herd of old men slowly dying off until you’re forgotten.

Elk is a gender neutral name… Bulls and Cows are the names for male and female elk. The Elks organization certainly has some issues and I know them well as I was a member who tried to make some changes in Corvallis for a number of years but the name isn’t the issue.

” thinning herd of old men slowly dying off until you’re forgotten.” Wow, nice Johnny! I had no idea the Wheelmen were such a pathetic lot! Funny how people can judge others so harshly for their perceived bias while simultaneously screaming bias of their own…

“Then there’s the “touring” part. That can be intimidating to some riders, she says, and it doesn’t even reflect the type of rides the club leads.”

I just looked at a week of rides on their calendar and there are ZERO that I would feel comfortable on. I’m a regular bike rider and I generally ride slowly and short distances. The only Slow ride listed is a Christmas Lights ride. It’s also the only ride under 20 miles. The next week is the same except that the short ride to BikeCraft is a Leisurely pace instead of Slow.

So yes, they most certainly do mainly “touring” rides as far as I’m concerned. Especially considering the distance to ride to the start and then ride back home from the end.

Look Johnny there are LOTS of riding groups here in Portland. For a city this size there’s an amazing amount that cater to people who think 20 mile is a loooong ride. And do “leisurely” rides For others 20 mile is it way too short a ride. Can’t you let a little diversity be at play here?

Another thing that would keep me from joining this group and going on rides is the helmet and waiver requirement. What kinds of crazy things are you people doing that requires a helmet and a waiver? I do most of my riding without either. Waivers are useless and won’t keep you from getting sued, but they will scare off people who thought they were going on a casual ride rather than joining a race.

The Bridge Pedal is a special event that shuts down roads and I’m sure requires insurance. It’s generally the insurance companies that cause you to sign the waiver. You can’t go on this ride without the waiver because they control who is allowed to go on the streets they’ve closed.

The Worst Day of the Year ride doesn’t require anything, it’s just a ride on regular open streets. If you want to be part of the costume contest and all of that then it becomes a special event that they want you to sign a waiver and wear a helmet for.

Just like the PBOT Portland By Cycle rides you don’t have to sign anything or wear a helmet to ride on the street.

odd – because I was one of those ‘volunteer’ ambassadors on many of those rides and that was what we ambassadors did – pass around the sign in sheet and check for helmets. Sure – when we asked did everyone sign in, you may have lied. Who knows – it was a bit of an honor system. btw – the sign in sheet is also important to PBOT because they need evidence that folks are doing the rides so PBOT will continue to support them. Hopefully we’re talking about the same rides – I’m referring to Timo’s rides, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in the summer. There is no such requirement for Sunday Parkway rides.

I’ve signed in and been asked to wear helmets on a couple of PBOT type rides.

The point still holds, Soren, they are *supposed to*. OTOH you are also correct that the evidence about helmets- and the situations where it really matters- don’t fit the intuition that most people have.

You’re correct. But maybe only because I said as much in my post above this one that you likely read. I’m pointing out the numerous ways in which the club does not attract some riders. This thread is about the helmet and waiver requirements where as my last one was about the rides themselves.

And I can’t even form a proper response to your thinking I’m somehow lying about my opinions. Was I not being honest about the requirements? I can’t even think of where your line of thought is that you would suddenly call me a liar for expressing my distaste for their requirements.

Not calling you a liar, just don’t understand why you care about membership requirements for a club you don’t want to join. I don’t like that the Brantlee Country Club costs $1250 a year to join, but I wouldn’t join even if it were free, so I don’t complain about it.

Because I want to go on more group bike rides but they all seem catered to fast riders. There have been so many groups that outwardly say they do slow rides but they’re all still faster than me. Pedalpalooza is the only time when there are multiple slow group rides to go on without helmets and waivers. Mostly I am left with the Friday night mystery rides the various bike groups do but they’re late at night.

There are probably hundreds (thousands?) of riders in the Portland area who agree with you. Maybe you should join a club and lead some slower rides or just form a new club. Insurance is available through LAB, and they don’t mandate that you require helmets in order to get the coverage.

I agree, there is ample opportunity create the ride and club you want in Portland!

You just need to do it.

The folks I ride with just formed a casual club to ride, race, hang out, road bike, mountain bike, tour, bikepack, ride jumps and do whatever else. Set a date, announce it to the world and GO! We ride thurdsays, moving into winter we’ll do Forest Park night rambles or meet at the Lumberyard and work on our skillz!

All it takes to create a ride you like is to create a ride you like, submit it to the ride captain with a date and general description and you are now a ride leader. PWTC doesn’t dictate the on the calendar the members do. Those who get involved lead rides, those who don’t whine about it.

My favorite thing about cycling right now is how much people like to complain that others aren’t providing something they want. Like… come on. Obviously there are people that like this kind of riding. Yes it’s fast, the Tuesday rides out of tualatin have some of the fastest times recorded on Strava in the area… and I’ve found the faster the rider the more fun and welcoming they are to ride with, these rides aren’t “catered” to anyone… it’s just the people that show up riding, if fast riders show up and like going fast it’s a fast ride, if slower riders show and and like to ride slow it’s a fast ride. Stop complaining that someone is giving you something because your preferences are different than there’s. The level of animosity that the average BP reader has towards cyclists that enjoy riding fast is a constant reminder why I don’t seek any of you or your events out IRL. AMD THATS OK, I don’t care that your preferences are different then mine, I’m not hear asking for a paceline group in the critical mass events. Haha

I believe this discussion is occurring because the PWTC’s membership is declining. Just like in a gym, you can lift the heavy weights that others don’t, only because there’s so many members that don’t use the gym. On the other hand, PWTC needs people to participate to remain viable. When they can’t, they’ll take their club money elsewhere.

Free, ha, I want a club to pay me to participate. I have a carbon road bike, a nice slick kit, and shoes that cost more than Gucci sneakers. Oh, and I don’t smile or wave when I ride because I’m too serious “training”.

Bro, you need to ride with my group then. We ride steel road bikes cause steel is real. We take our time and take lots of breaks. On our breaks we take drugs or drink beers, cause life ain’t worth living sober, ya dig. All our clothes are natural fiber, and if it rains our saddles are ruined, but that’s life, lol. We ride all the time, whenever, because responsibility is super lame and we are all unemployed, well there is that one guy who is an influencer. When we aren’t riding we mostly complain about being offended, the patriarchy and capitalism. Come ride any time.

A recent article by prominent lawyer and cyclist Bob Mionske on how to keep from losing everything if someone gets hurt on one of your rides most definitely suggests both waivers and incorporating and getting insurance. I am guessing the helmet requirement is a way to keep their insurance costs down. If a waiver was worthless I don’t think Bob would be suggesting that ride leaders use them.

Hi Johnny, An explanation may be helpful. Since PWTC is an organized club and not just a meet up the helmet and waiver are required by the insurance company that covers not just club/members’ liability but riders (non members for first ride, club members for all rides) in case of a gap in medical coverage.

In interesting if very naive opinion. Ask ANY lawyer about events a registered legal entity puts on and see what you’re told. Of course in a nation that takes no individual responsibility for anything we all can be sued for anything at any time, but these are measure to reduce exposure. I don’t like it either but to put this on the Wheelman is just unfair and wrong.

Please tell me you’re kidding here, as this is tuning into a bad Portlandia outtake skit. Does “motorist” imply people driving around aimlessly, as “cyclist” apparently does for you? If not , why not? Should we change “motorist ” to something else then (what?) to be more acceptable to you? Do people really think this way?! Like if my understanding of a word is incomplete or wrongly assumptive… then I want the word changed! Hello Kitty, “cycling” does not imply “just going around and around endlessly, not getting places or doing things” in the larger world outside your head or outside of your prejudices. Of course you’re entitled to your opinion and perhaps I should let this slide with a chuckle, but this language policing and revisionism makes me uneasy. Let’s spend our energy on something meaningful.

I believe the group has a number of rides in the SW Washington area as well. Johnny, this could be one reason for the helmet requirement. So, for a name, I would suggest Bridge Bicycling Club or Columbia Cycling Club.

“I believe the group has a number of rides in the SW Washington area as well.”

I think you meant to say Vancouver, as Washington has no helmet law.

Like the Back in the Saddle ride on Saturday. Another example of a poor attempt at inclusion.

“Find out why bicycling is such a popular sport”

But only if you can ride 13-15 MPH for 20 miles.

Although since you seem to need to be a member to go on the rides I guess you already know what it will be like and you’re already in good enough shape, even though this is aimed at non-members who don’t ride much.

I usually take my helmet with me to Vancouver to wear through downtown uphill during the day. That’s just to keep from getting hassled by police. I usually don’t wear it on the return trip because I don’t go through downtown. I go through downtown on the way there because the I-5 bridge is so much better than the I-205 bridge. Oh, and because Ellsworth sucks to bike up.

Easier, but less comfortable and sweatier. When I lived in Portland, I would lug mine around (in the box of my box-bike, so it really wasn’t hard to lug around) all winter. I’d put it on if I needed a device to keep my baseball cap on, so as to keep the rain (mostly) off my glasses. I’d also put it on when I felt conditions were stressing out people driving more, because of my guess that helmet-wearers are less likely to get yelled at or intentionally buzzed by people driving.

Actually Alex, the opposite is true. Perhaps counterintuitive but a number of studies reveal that motorists actually give more room to non-helmeted cyclists. (an average of 3 inches more when passing in one particularity well done one) Makes sense really, a kitted and geared up cyclist looks like a “pro” to some motorists, so “less need to be careful” of them. And for some cycling haters a red flag to, if anything, harass more! But an individual in street clothes and no helmet might appear less predictable and in need of more caution. AND this person more resembles a neighbor, friend relative, spouse etc. Not one of THOSE people (cyclists 😉 All somewhat unconsciously here, this stuff. These studies indicate riding without a helmet can ironically actually be safer than with!

Hi Johnny, you don’t need to be a member to ride. Plus the club is offering some slower rides. I agree, however, that short slower fun rides would be great. PBOT offers these during the summer – you may want to check out Portland BiCycling for their Tuesday and Wednesday evening rides around the city. They are generally 8-10 miles and great for all kinds of riders.

Why do you think a word that literally means “the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes” is inadequate to convey equality? By that measure maybe we should then rename BikePortland to MovePortland since it leaves out transit users, pedestrians, and drivers who are sympathetic to prioritizing bicycle facilities *headdesk*

Probably for the same reasons people feel horribly threatened by a club called the “wheelmen”. Except in one case we’re talking about a small club of cycling enthusiasts, and in another a widespread international political and social movement.

I’m just being antagonist, or rather, naive if than anything. We’re debating the word, men, in wheelman. Someone brought up feminism and I jokingly said equalism, in attempt to highlight the prefix, fem. Then I quickly googled it and did a haphazard copy and paste. Maybe it wasn’t as funny as I thought, I was just trying to draw a caricature of the nuence of this debate. It’s not respectful and I apologize.

“When it comes to changing the language, I think they make some good points. Because we do think in language. And so the quality of our thoughts and ideas can only be as good as the quality of our language. So maybe some of this patriarchal sh!t ought to go away. I think “spokesman” ought to be “spokesperson.” I think “chairman” ought to be “chairperson.” I think “mankind” ought to be “humankind.” But they take it too far, they take themselves too seriously, they exaggerate. They want me to call that thing in the street a “personhole cover.” I think that’s taking it a little bit too far!

What would you call a ladies’ man, a “person’s person”? That would make a he-man an “it-person.” Little kids would be afraid of the “boogie-person.” They’d look up in the sky and see the “person in the moon.” Guys would say “come back here and fight like a person,” and we’d all sing “For It’s a Jolly Good Person,” that’s the kind of thing you would hear on “Late Night with David Letterperson”! You know what I mean?”

First, I’d like to say I ride with the PWTC all the time and I’m a cis-lady. Second, for those ruffled by the waiver/helmet requirement, this is because their insurance (which is likely through an American League Bicyclists) requires those things. Third, if you want shorter/slower rides to exist within a club, join and lead! Fourth, I bet if the acronym stays the same it would be helpful for the jersey, website and other branding. Fifth, please everyone, stop shaming some bike riders for wearing spandex. I, for one, love me some stretchy pants! And, finally, I propose Portland Two Wheeling Cyclists. Thanks for reading my long list!

I seriously doubt if the insurance through LAB has changed over the past couple of years such that it now requires helmets on club rides (after decades of not requiring them). Many clubs choose to put a helmet requirement in and then claim that the insurance mandates it, but the insurance is unlikely to be the source of such a policy.

Maria, isn’t it funny that people who are riding bicycles are repulsed and it seems frightened by–looking like they are riding bicycles! I’m an old, fat, slow guy but have been riding too long to feel weird dressed like I’m riding a bike when I am, in fact, riding a bike!

You need to brush up on your etymology. “Human” is derived from the Latin “humanus” and “man” from the proto-Germanic “mann.” The words are unrelated. You comment is like saying the words “history” or “manufacturing” are gendered. They are not.

Nobody likes change, least of all white cis men. [Full disclosure: I am that demographic]. Changing it to something more gender inclusive–in name only–is 25 years overdue, if PWTC is to read the writing on the walls. Changing the name is easy though; the hard part is instituting actual gender and POC inclusive actions, both internally and externally. It’s a long time coming. The collective manhood will not be diminished if more non man people join a no-drop ride.

And spare us the “PC” bellyaching. How many of y’all menfolk will ride a ‘ladies bike’ (a mixte for example, or the low entry bikes that are useful for e-bikes, cargo bikes, commuters, etc) if you think gender classifications and roles don’t matter and you believe you are ‘gender blind?

Did you ever lead a ride with a stated slower pace? When I was a member there weren’t a lot of west side rides, so I created my own and posted them in the ride calendar. The club is what you make of it.

I have a buddy that does one of their weekly rides. Based on his ride description, which included repeated sprints for Strava KOMs and other macho/aggressive acts of one-upmanship, perhaps the name is apt!! And maybe once I get in better shape I’ll get out there to join!

Since 1989, about once a decade, when I have one of my, “I’ve gotten really fit!” moments, I have tried one of their “easy” rides. Each time, I haven’t even made it out of the starting gate on my Elekra Townie before they leave me standing in the middle of the road, crying. I hate that group. Maybe a name change will help.

Jessie Since 1989, about once a decade, when I have one of my, “I’ve gotten really fit!” moments, I have tried one of their “easy” rides. Each time, I haven’t even made it out of the starting gate on my Elekra Townie before they leave me standing in the middle of the road, crying. I hate that group. Maybe a name change will help.Recommended 0

A townie may not be the best bike to bring on those rides. I def wouldn’t bring the carbon road bike on a gravel ride, or either of those on a fixed gear alleycat. Still, when there’s communication that it’s a no drop ride and the ride goes off only to drop all but the strongest riders, it’s not helping maintain membership. My call for inclusiveness in group rides is less about equipment requirements or fitness levels, but of social and gender roles.

Nothing wrong with a Townie. I bought a used one this year (though I immediately ditched the horrible stock saddle). Getting my butt further behind the pedals works better for me, biomechanically, than traditional bike geometry.

Funny how people look at these bikes and assume they’re slow. I actually put out more power in this position. Despite being less aero, I’m just as fast on my Townie as on my more traditional bikes, and actually faster on climbs. I’ve done plenty of 50+ mile rides so far on it, arriving more refreshed and in the same amount of time as on a bike with traditional racing-inspired, gonad-compressing geometry.

I’ve done a few Wheelmen rides, and would do no worse (or better, for what it’s worth!) on them with my Townie than I did on a traditional road bike.

Jessie Since 1989, about once a decade, when I have one of my, “I’ve gotten really fit!” moments, I have tried one of their “easy” rides. Each time, I haven’t even made it out of the starting gate on my Elekra Townie before they leave me standing in the middle of the road, crying. I hate that group. Maybe a name change will help.Recommended 0

A townie may not be the best bike to bring on those rides. I def wouldn’t bring the carbon road bike on a gravel ride, or either of those on a fixed gear alleycat. Still, when there’s communication that it’s a no drop ride and the ride goes off only to drop all but the strongest riders, it’s not helping maintain membership. My call for inclusiveness in group rides is less about equipment requirements or fitness levels, but of social and gender roles.Recommended 0

This is so far off topic, but I’ll give it a shot: Train hard. Maintain your gear. Come prepared for the activity. Just like I would get schooled at the local pick up basket ball game and vibed off the waves as a kook at north shore, respect who you are surounding yourselves with so you can “participate.” All groups and wheelfolx are allowing those who come prepared, are able to repair their flats, able to ride next to, wont be killed because they forgot thier helmet, and are self aware enough to silence their phones to join. Put in some time and “pay” the entry fee. Not every activity is a kids birthday party at the bowling ally with gutter bumpers so you can tell your friends at work on monday that you participated.

Safety in numbers on those rural roads is #1 for me – more visibility, someone to provide first aid / call an ambulance if needed, maybe less harassment from drivers. Having someone else there to push you is #2.

I don’t think people do prefer the “mob scene”. I see a bike path from my window. I’d guess about 90% ride alone, another 9% ride with one other person, and the remaining 1% are in groups of 3 or more.

As a teenage girl in the early 70’s, I rode with the Seven Hills Wheelmen in Central Massachusetts. I recall going to one of their meeting and asking them to change the name from “Wheelmen”. The room was had about 20 men and 2-3 women.

Club waivers have to do with club insurance & protecting club members from being involved in lawsuits. Randonneurs USA law suite by a rider’s family member killed while riding a permanent. Until it’s resolved the Permanents program which you participate on your own is suspended.

As far a PWTC gave up on them in the 1980’s. They made it clear when you showed up for a ride it as to go as fast as possible or be dropped. There really was no reason to ride with them since you’d be alone very soon. More than once would I come upon a bicyclist stopping me in the gorge saying they went on a PWTC ride, got dropped & had know idea where they were.

Hi Barbara, Perhaps time to check in again. Some of the club rides will definitely drop slower riders. I’m a slower member and unless I have a good map, I don’t ride those rides, but there are also ‘re-group’ and group rides and many rides now have online maps so you can check out the route before coming and decide if suitable.

While the phrase “women members” is grammatically correct (“women” in this case serves as an attributive noun, similarly to an expression like “steel door”), it is unnecessarily clunky. Just say “female members.”

You mean how did I learn about attributive nouns? I actually learned about that from an article in the Economist in which they were discussing–prior to the election–whether a Clinton presidency should be called the first woman presidency or the first female presidency. However, I am also learning Dutch so I had to brush up on a lot of my grammar rules. It is amazing how much studying a foreign language can also help you with a language that you already speak.

Eben “Bike Snob” Weiss take on the helmet policing of bike clubs and roadies:

“when it comes to living the All Helmets, All the Time lifestyle, no group of cyclists has bought in more completely than the roadies. You can still show up at your local advocacy meeting with nothing on your head save for your vintage cycling cap and for the most part your fellow do-gooders will hardly look up from their couscous. But roll up at the Sunday group ride with your locks flowing in the wind like a Flandrian cresting the Mur de Huy in the ‘70s and you’ll find yourself greeted like your B sample just came back positive.”

I have personally crashed and broke 2 helmets…. I am sure I am not alone if you ride much at all. Why do you promote myths here? There is scientific research that shows wearing a helmet on a bike or on a motorcycle greatly reduces head injuries. T

Thanks for your unsupported “opinion” in response to a piece that actually contained links and citations!

The epidemiological evidence is mixed (lots of confounding factors) but case-controlled before and after studies find little effect of helmet use on head injuries. If helmet use had any significant impact on safety it would show up in this data and the fact that it does not is a huge counterfactual.

soren Eben “Bike Snob” Weiss take on the helmet policing of bike clubs and roadies:“when it comes to living the All Helmets, All the Time lifestyle, no group of cyclists has bought in more completely than the roadies. You can still show up at your local advocacy meeting with nothing on your head save for your vintage cycling cap and for the most part your fellow do-gooders will hardly look up from their couscous. But roll up at the Sunday group ride with your locks flowing in the wind like a Flandrian cresting the Mur de Huy in the ‘70s and you’ll find yourself greeted like your B sample just came back positive.”https://www.outsideonline.com/2359061/jackson-hole-fat-biking-heavenRecommended 0

There will always be outliers. And although cute, Weiss is incorrect on this one.

Have to admit, when I first saw the name all I could think of was older retired guys going on leisurely all-day/multi-day bike trips. I decided to check out their website one day anyways just to see, and discovered differently. Still haven’t had a chance to go on a ride with them (family/work/life/etc… makes it so that I usually have to start no later than 6am if I want to get a decent ride in), but I’d like to catch one sometime. All the PC stuff aside, I think changing names would be a good idea if the goal is more, younger members. A lot of people could think the same as I did after hearing the name, but never take the time to look them up.

Yes, I think this gets at the issue that I see – the current name is poor branding, and isn’t something young people / women / whoever isn’t joining, can relate to/identify with. When I first moved back to Portland from Seattle, I searched around for all of the clubs that might offer group rides that I could get involved with. When I saw “Portland Wheelmen” it definitely was a turnoff, because not only was my first reaction that it felt non-inclusive to me as a woman, but also that this was an out-dated club if they were still using gendered language that wasn’t representative of modern times. Now, I still looked into it, and of course didn’t assume that just because “wheelmen” was in the title that I wasn’t invited to ride or be involved. And I have looked into joining rides – but none that are in my slower speed range (11-13mph) have really been at times/days that work for me as a working professional, which also leads me to believe they are focused on a smaller niche of a market (retired people and faster riders which are usually men).

So yes, I think it does come down to their current brand isn’t serving them well, if they want to draw in new, broader, younger membership. And clearly from the comments they aren’t drawing a broad crowd, due to not having rides at slower speeds/shorter lengths at times that work for people who work 9-5 jobs. (And yes, certainly – the people who need those rides could lead them, but I imagine a lot of people in that category may be newer riders, or less fit, or have other concerns that make it a scary proposition to be a ride leader.)

It sounds to me like PWTC might think about what population they want to include as members, and reach out to people of that population to see what their needs/wants are (possible side effect – just by doing that they may gain more membership & involvement). Because it does appear from these comments that, as one reader pointed out, perhaps just dropping “wheelmen” isn’t the only issue holding people back from joining.

It excites me that this is being looked into, as I’ve really missed out on the Cascade Bicycle Club up in Seattle, and PWTC seems to be the closest thing in that sort of arena that I can find. Would love to see this club really blossom to serve the broader cycling community here in the Portland/Vancouver area.